Tribute to Lithuanian composer and painter Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis
SONATA OF THE SERPENT
Concert programme
Giedrius Kuprevičius. (1944) Sonata of the Serpent, 1968
Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. (1875-1911) String Quartet in C minor, 1901-1902 / Transcription for piano by Mūza Rubackytė
Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. (1875-1911) Unidentified Cycle I. “Forest Preludes”, 1901
Discover the programme
M. K. Čiurlionis – The Serpent – looks down to the Man… What does the world know about him, born 150 years ago? How much courage, drive, energy, sensitivity to ourselves, music, motherland did we learn through him?
The programme is an innovative look at the works of one of Lithuania’s most famous artists and composers. The first musical glimpse at the artist is provided by contemporary Lithuanian composer Giedrius Kuprevičius. The “Sonata of The Serpent” is a sonata in 4 movements inspired and reflected on the cycle of paintings of the same name by M. K. Čiurlionis. ” shows most clearly the conviction in Čiurlionis’ subconscious that his work is truly worthy a crown. Unfortunately, the society of that time spared the artist that crown…” says Kuprevičius.
Listen to the third movement of the sonata – G. Kuprevičius Scherzo from “Sonata of the Serpent”:
The programme centres on a transcription for solo piano of the only string quartet written during the composer’s studies in Leipzig. The version for solo piano “came as a natural necessity to present the work of this genius Lithuanian artist and composer to an international audience” says the most prominent Lithuanian concert pianist of today – Mūza Rubackytė.
The concert programme will be “coronated” by “Forest Preludes”, created during three weeks in his native Druskininkai, Lithuania. 6 preludes with titles from composer reveal “all that Čiurlionis was interested in, thought, wrote and painted”, says Rimantas Janeliauskas, the author of the latest monograph on the music of M. K. Čiurlionis. Following Čiurlionytė’s texts, “Forest Preludes” is a reflection of her eldest brother’s experiences:
- Prelude: ‘The Angel of the Lord’ (after learning of death);
- Prelude: ‘Lamentation’;
- Prelude: ‘Remembering Childhood’ (or hymn to Druskininkai city);
- Prelude: ‘Children’s Games’;
- Prelude: ‘Funeral’;
- Prelude: ‘The Lonely Violin’.
The programme is scheduled for premiere in February 2025.
ABOUT
Eglė Andrejevaitė
Winner of international competitions, graduate of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre classical concert pianist Eglė Andrejevaitė studied in Germany at the Stuttgart University of Music and Applied Arts.
In 2012, together with violinist Augusta Jusionyte, she made her international debut at the Graz Philharmonic, Austria. Since 2013, Eglė is putting special emphasis on thematic solo concert programmes: Hour with Beethoven, Coco CHANEL project, Engraving, Winter in Mallorca (together with actress Birutė Mar), Baltic Amber and others were performed in Lithuania, Italy, Australia, USA.
Since 2013 Eglė Andrejevaitė is mentored by prof. Mūza Rubackytė (Lithuania-France-Switzerland). The leading Lithuanian pianist of today, the holder of National Prize for Culture and Arts among others, Mrs. M. Rubackytė is also the artistic director of the debut album of E. Andrejevaitė. Mallorca preludes – F. Chopin preludes combined with contemporary spanish works – will be released in 2025.